The Aer Lingus Visa edges out the Southwest Premier Business for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 85,000 pts signup bonus. The Southwest Premier Business is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
Aer Lingus Visa vs Southwest Premier Business
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- British Airways, Aer Lingus, and Iberia 3x
- hotel accommodations when booked directly with the hotel. 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Southwest Purchases 3x
- Rapid Rewards Hotel and Car Rental Partners 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Priority Boarding on Aer Lingus flights from and to the US & Ireland
- Commercial Companion Ticket each year Every calendar year you make purchases of $30,000 on your Aer Lingus Visa Signature Card, you'll receive an economy companion ticket good for 12 months.After $30,000 spend
- 2,000 Tier Qualifying Points toward A-List statusAfter $5,000 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The Aer Lingus Visa edges out the Southwest Premier Business for most cardholders — it wins on 2 of 4 comparison categories and offers 85,000 pts signup bonus. The Southwest Premier Business is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, Aer Lingus Visa tops out at 3x versus 3x for Southwest Premier Business. Current signup bonus values are roughly $1360 for Aer Lingus Visa and $840 for Southwest Premier Business. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/aer-lingus-visa-vs-southwest-premier-business
- Aer Lingus Visa wins 2 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: Aer Lingus Visa reaches 3x; Southwest Premier Business reaches 3x.
- Annual fee: Aer Lingus Visa is $95/yr; Southwest Premier Business is $149/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $1360 and $840.
Common Questions: Aer Lingus Visa vs Southwest Premier Business
Is the Aer Lingus Visa or Southwest Premier Business better for dining?
Neither card offers a specific dining bonus — both earn their base rate on restaurant purchases.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
Aer Lingus Visa currently offers 85,000 pts signup bonus (spend $5,000 in 3 months). Southwest Premier Business offers 60,000 pts signup bonus (spend $3,000 in 3 months). Aer Lingus Visa has the larger bonus.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the Aer Lingus Visa and the Southwest Premier Business?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. Both cards are from Chase, so check their specific application rules.